Reports

posted by Mike on 02/28/2019

OLYMPIA – Fishery managers estimate higher numbers of coho salmon will return to Washington’s waters in 2019 compared to last year, but expect low returns of wild chinook will again make setting fishing seasons a challenge.

Forecasts for chinook, coho, sockeye, chum, and pink salmon – developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and treaty Indian tribes – were released today during a public meeting in Olympia.

The forecast meeting marks the starting point for crafting 2019 salmon-fishing seasons in Puget Sound, the Columbia River and Washington coastal areas. The annual process for setting salmon fisheries is known as "North of Falcon." Fishery managers have scheduled a series of public meetings through early April before finalizing seasons later that month.

Kelly Susewind, WDFW director, said fishery managers will look to design fishing seasons that not only meet conservation goals for salmon but also minimize impacts on the region’s struggling southern resident killer whale population.

“In the coming weeks, we’ll be working with tribal co-managers and constituents to make sure that we meet our conservation objectives while providing fishing opportunities where possible,” Susewind said. “It’s complicated, but important work.”

The forecasts are based on varying environmental indicators, such as ocean conditions, as well as surveys of spawning salmon, and the number of juvenile salmon migrating to marine waters.

As in past years, salmon-fishing prospects in 2019 vary by area:

Columbia River: About 218,200 “upriver brights” are expected to return to areas of the Columbia River above Bonneville Dam. That’s similar to the return in 2018 but down more than 50 percent from the most recent 10-year average.

An estimated 905,800 coho are projected to return to the Columbia River this year, an increase of 619,600 fish from the 2018 forecast. About 147,000 coho actually returned to the Columbia River last year.

Salmon fisheries in the Columbia River will likely be designed to harvest abundant coho stocks while protecting depleted chinook and “B-run” steelhead, which return to the Columbia and Snake river basins.

Washington’s ocean waters: Anglers should have more coho fishing opportunities in Washington’s ocean waters this summer compared to 2018, given higher numbers of coho projected to return to the Columbia River and to Washington’s coastal streams.

This year’s forecast of about 100,500 hatchery chinook to the lower Columbia River is down 12,000 fish from last year’s projected return. Those hatchery chinook – known as “tules” – are the backbone of the recreational ocean fishery.

Puget Sound: Increased returns of coho salmon should provide anglers with some good fishing opportunities including in areas in mid and south Sound, said Kyle Adicks, salmon fisheries policy lead for WDFW.

Roughly 670,200 wild and hatchery coho are expected to return to Puget Sound this year, up 15 percent of the 10-year average. However, the total forecast for wild and hatchery chinook is down slightly from 2018.

“We’re again expecting extremely low returns in key stocks such as Stillaguamish and mid-Hood Canal chinook, which will again limit salmon fishing opportunities,” Adicks said.

Meanwhile, this year's run of pink salmon, which mostly return to Washington's waters only in odd-numbered years, is expected to be 608,400 fish. That’s roughly 10 percent of the 10-year average of 5.7 million fish.

Southern resident killer whales

While developing fishing proposals, the department will consider the dietary needs of southern resident killer whales as well as ways to protect orcas from disruptions from fishing vessel traffic, Adicks said.

The declining availability of salmon – southern resident orcas’ primary prey – and disruptions from boating traffic have been linked to a downturn in the region's orca population over the past 30 years.

WDFW is working with the National Marine Fisheries Service to develop tools to assess the effects of fisheries on available prey for orcas.

WDFW intends to livestream several public meetings, including those scheduled on March 19 and April 3. The department will provide links to those upcoming livestreams, as well as to the archived video from Wednesday’s forecast meeting, on the website listed above.

Upcoming meetings include:

Ocean options: State, tribal and federal fishery managers will meet March 7-12 in Vancouver, Wash., with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) to develop options for this year's commercial and recreational ocean chinook and coho salmon fisheries. The PFMC establishes fishing seasons in ocean waters three to 200 miles off the Pacific coast.

Regional discussions: Additional public meetings have been scheduled into April to discuss regional fishery issues. Input from these regional discussions will be considered as the season-setting process moves into the "North of Falcon" and PFMC meetings, which will determine the final 2019 salmon seasons.

Final PFMC: The PFMC is expected to adopt final ocean fishing seasons and harvest levels at its April 11-15 meeting in Rohnert Park, Calif. The 2018 salmon fisheries package for Washington's inside waters is scheduled to be completed by the state and tribal co-managers during the PFMC's April meeting.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the primary state agency tasked with preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish and wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities.

posted by Mike on 12/04/2018

Salmon retention reopens, area closures lifted on the Lewis River and Cedar Creek

Action: Restores angling rules on the Lewis River and Cedar Creek to those listed in the 2018-19 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Effective dates: Dec. 6, 2018.

Species affected: All species.

Locations: Lewis River: from the mouth to Colvin Creek. Cedar Creek: from the mouth to the Grist Mill Bridge.

Reason for action: TheLewis River wild fall chinook salmon run has improved and is currently projected to meet the escapement goal for this population. The hatchery coho return has also improved and the hatchery broodstock goal is expected to be met.

Additional information: Fishing remains closed on the Lewis River above Colvin Creek under permanent rule, but will reopen on Dec.16. All other permanent rules remain in effect. Anglers should refer to the Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet for complete rule information.

posted by Mike on 11/09/2018

Fishing closures set for Lewis River and Cedar Creek

Action: Closes salmon retention on the Lewis River from the mouth to Johnson Creek. Closes the Lewis River to all fishing between Johnson and Colvin creeks. Closes Cedar Creek to all fishing from the mouth to the Grist Mill Bridge.

Effective dates: Nov. 13, 2018 until further notice.

Species affected: All species.

Locations: Lewis River: from the mouth to Colvin Creek. Cedar Creek: from the mouth to the Grist Mill Bridge.

Reason for action: TheLewis River wild fall chinook salmon run is tracking below the pre-season forecast and is currently projected to fall short of the escapement goal for this population. The returns of hatchery coho is also tracking well below forecast and the hatchery broodstock goals. Closing the lower Lewis River and Cedar Creek to salmon retention will increase the number of wild chinook spawning and the number coho returning to the Lewis River Hatchery. The will help to ensure fishing opportunities in future years.

Additional information: The lower Lewis River remains open to harvest of hatchery steelhead downstream of Johnson Creek. All other permanent rules remain in effect. Please refer to the Sport Fishing Pamphlet for complete rule information.

posted by Mike on 10/16/2018

Action: Opens salmon fishing in the Naselle River. Salmon daily limit is 6 fish, up to 2 adults may be retained, and no more than 1 adult may be a wild coho. Release all chinook.

Effective date: Oct. 16 through Jan. 31, 2019.

Species affected: Salmon.

Location: Naselle River from the Hwy. 101 Bridge to Crown Mainline (Salme) Bridge, except from 300 feet downstream of the Naselle Hatchery attraction channel to the attraction channel and from 400 feet downstream of the falls in Sec. 6 T10N R8W to the falls remain closed waters.

Reason for action: Fall chinook returns to tributaries of Willapa Bay have been significantly lower than preseason predictions. Retention of chinook is prohibited in all fisheries prosecuted in the Willapa Bay watershed as a conservation measure in order to focus harvest opportunity on coho and chum. In-season estimates for coho stock abundance are consistent with pre-season expectation and chum encounters are tracking near pre-season expectations.

Reason for action: Fall chinook are returning in extremely low numbers to the Yakima River. Closure is necessary to meet conservation and hatchery broodstock collection needs for fall chinook and coho in the Yakima River Basin.

posted by Mike on 10/11/2018

Action: Increase the daily salmon limit to 4 fish, including up to 2 wild coho. Release chinook and chum.

Effective date: Oct. 10, 2018.

Species affected: Coho salmon.

Location: Skagit River (Skagit County) from the mouth to the Cascade River Road (Marblemount Bridge).

Reason for action: On Oct. 9, WDFW and co-managers revised the projection for returning Skagit River coho to 90,000 fish, up from73,000. The increased run size allows Skagit River coho daily limits to be raised.

posted by Mike on 10/04/2018

Action: Closes the Grays and West Fork Grays rivers to retention of coho.

Effective date: October 6, 2018 until further notice.

Species affected: Coho salmon.

Location: The Grays River to the mouth of the South Fork Grays River and West Fork Grays River from the mouth upstream.

Reason for action: The Grays River Hatchery coho return to date is below what is needed for hatchery broodstock. The 2018 return has been influenced by poor ocean conditions and reduced juvenile releases in previous years. Closing coho retention in the Grays River and West Fork Grays River will increase the number of hatchery fish available for broodstock and help ensure fishing opportunities in future years.

Additional information: Fishing remains open on themainstem Grays River upstream of the mouth of the South Fork as well as the South and East Fork Grays Rivers under permanent rule as described in the 2018/2019 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

posted by Mike on 09/27/2018

Action: Closes all salmon fishing in the following areas: Snohomish River, Snoqualmie River, and the Skykomish River upstream of the Wallace River.

In addition, all salmon must be released except for marked hatchery coho on the Wallace River and the Skykomish River from the mouth to the Wallace River.

Effective date: Sept. 29 through Nov. 15, 2018.

Species affected: Salmon.

Location: Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and Wallace rivers.

Reason for action: In-season run size updates indicate that the Snohomish wild coho run is lower than the pre-season forecast. These measures are needed to protect future runs of coho by increasing chances wild spawner escapement goals are met.

Additional information: Areas that remain open for salmon have a daily limit of two fish, release all salmon other than hatchery coho. Gamefish remain open in these rivers as described in the 2018-19 Fishing Rules Pamphlet.

For the Wallace River, the area between the hatchery weir and 400 feet downstream of the weir remains closed until the weir is removed.

posted by Mike on 09/13/2018

The Snohomish system is opening two weeks later this season and closing earlier also. The system will open this Sunday, 16th of September and will remain open until November 15th. Limit is 2 fish with a min length of 12 inches. You must release all Chinook and Chum salmon, so it is really only open for Coho. Remember that the Snoqualmie is a selective fishery which means barbless single hooks on your lures and "NO" bait or scents. Take a few minutes to read though your regulation phamplet to refresh yourself with the current regulations before you venture forth.

There are a few Coho in the system at the present time, so you do have a reasonable chance of getting into some fish on the opener.

Derby Stats

posted by Mike on 09/05/2018

The Edmonds Coho Derby will take place this Saturday, September 8th. The Coho fishing has been outstanding and we should see some very good results. Taickets are $30.00 per person and we'll have them until closing at 6:00pm Friday evening.

posted by Mike on 09/04/2018

Bush Point and Lagoon Point put out good numbers of Coho from the beaches yesterday. It was a little slow in coming this season considering how good the fishing has been for the boat angles in Marine Area 8-2 and 10 this past week. They had to pass through Admiralty Inlet on their way to the inside areas. Perhaps they stayed in the shipping lanes or came through in the deeper water. None the less they are now doing well of the beaches.

Anglers have been fishing a variety of methods with the vast majority tossing either Rotators and Buzz Bombs or fishing Herring under a float.

We have a good selection of all this tackle and if you have never fished the beaches before we'll be more than happy to show you how to rig up.

posted by Mike on 08/31/2018

The Whidbey Island beach salmon fisheries have not been stellar so far this season. There have been a few fish being caught virtually every day, but hot it's not! This could turn around any day and fishing could be fantastic.

Spoke with Danny at Possession Point Bait Company (360) 579-4704 Wednesday evening to see what was happening at his place. He said that the fishing had been slow, but fish were being caught, On Wednesday there were just 3 fish landed, Tuesday 3, Monday 7 and Sunday produced 9. Not hot fishing by any means but at least there are a few fish being caught. He has lots of minnow herring on hand mixed with a few larger plug cuts if you are in need of bait.

We have lots of beach fishing tackle on hand, with lots of Rotators, Buzz Bombs and float fishing tackle. If you haven't fished the beaches before stop by and we;ll be glad to give you a hand setting up.

Remember that the Marine Area 9 beaches are open for Hatchery Coho only with a 2 fish limit. Area 9 will close at the end of September (September 3oth last day). Marine Area 8-2 is open for both Hatchery and Wild Coho with a 2 fish limit. Area 8-2 will be open through September 23rd. Marine Area 8-1 will be open for both Hatchery and Wild Coho with a two fish limit. Area 8-1 will be open through September 30th.

posted by Mike on 08/30/2018

Marine Area 1 to open for 2 more days of salmon fishing during Labor Day weekend

Action: Marine Area 1 will be open Sunday, Sept. 2, and Monday, Sept. 3, for chinook and hatchery coho salmon fishing.

Effective date: Sept. 2 and 3, 2018.

Species affected: Chinook and coho salmon.

Location: Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco).

Reason for action: Sufficient quota is available for two more days of salmon fishing. Only a small amount of coho quota remained after the closure of Area 1 earlier in August; however a transfer of quota by the commercial troll fishery provided enough to reopen the recreational fishery.

Additional information: Daily limit of two salmon, release wild coho. The Columbia River Control Zone (Control Zone 1) is closed.

Marine Area 2 and 3 are open through Sept. 3 with a daily limit of two salmon, release wild coho.

Marine Area 4 remains closed to salmon fishing.

The Columbia River remains closed to chinook retention downstream of the Rocky Point-Tongue Point line, with the exception of the North Jetty, where Marine Area 1 rules apply while Area 1 is open for chinook retention. Anglers with chinook in their possession may not fish in areas that are closed to chinook retention.

posted by Mike on 06/18/2018

OLYMPIA – Anglers can reel in salmon off the Washington coast beginning June 23, when three marine areas open for recreational salmon fishing.

Marine areas 1 (Ilwaco), 3 (La Push), and 4 (Neah Bay) will be open daily starting Saturday, June 23. Marine Area 2 (Westport) will be open Sundays through Thursdays beginning Sunday, July 1.

Fewer chinook salmon are expected to make their way through Washington's ocean waters this year as compared to 2017, said Wendy Beeghley, a fishery manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Beeghley said the agency anticipates a return of coho fairly similar to last year's return.

The recreational chinook catch quota this year is 27,500 fish, which is 17,500 fewer fish than 2017's quota of 45,000. Meanwhile, the coho quota is 42,000 fish, the same as in 2017.

Although all four marine areas are scheduled to close Sept. 3, Beeghley reminds anglers that areas could close earlier if the quota is met. Throughout the summer, anglers can check WDFW's webpage at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/creel/ocean/ for updates.

In marine areas 1, 2, and 4, anglers will be allowed to retain two salmon, only one of which can be a chinook. Anglers fishing in Marine Area 3 will have a two-salmon daily limit. In all marine areas, anglers must release wild coho.

More information about the fisheries can be found in the 2018-19 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, available at license vendors and sporting goods stores and online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/.

posted by Mike on 06/16/2018

Coho fishing for the smaller delayed release resident coho has been quite good since it opened in Marine Area 10. Most anglers I;ve spoke with have had no problem in conecting with them. Both the area south of Edmonds and the Jefferson Head area have both held good number of fish. Most are not anything to write home about size wise but do make for some good eating. The fish are feeding highly upon krill, crab and shrimp spawn as well as some herring.

This might be a fun fishery to participate in until the king season opens July 16th in Marine Area 9 & 10.

posted by Mike on 05/31/2018

Salmon season opens June 1 in Marine Area 11 with a modified daily catch limit

Action: Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) will open June 1 for salmon fishing as listed in the 2017-18 pamphlet but anglers will be able to retain only one hatchery chinook as part of a two-salmon daily limit; release wild chinook.

Reason for action: This emergency rule modifies fisheries listed in the 2017-18 Washington Sportfishing Rules pamphlet to reflect fisheries agreed to during this year’s North of Falcon, the annual salmon-season setting process.

Other information: Anglers will be allowed to retain 2 salmon but only 1 chinook as part of the daily salmon limit for the summer fishery. For the 2018 summer season, Area 11 will have a chinook catch quota of 5,344 fish. Fishery managers anticipate that the lower daily catch limit will allow the chinook fishery to remain open through the summer.

Reason for action: This emergency rule modifies fisheries listed in the 2017-18 Washington Sportfishing Rules pamphlet to reflect fisheries agreed to during this year’s North of Falcon, the annual salmon-season setting process.

Other information: Marine Area 10 opens June 1 for salmon fishing. Through July 15, anglers have a daily limit of two salmon but must release chinook and chum. Anglers should check the 2018-19 Sportfishing Rules pamphlet (effective July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019), for fishery regulations after July 15. The pamphlet will be available mid-June at license dealers and sporting goods stores, as well as online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/.